Stink over Irwin stingray revenge game

[Neoma]

"An offbeat memorial to Steve Irwin has been offered up by an online gaming website which has created a game called Terri Irwin's Revenge.

The game, which is being circulated via email, takes the form of a simple animated pop-up box which depicts an armed Terri Irwin firing at stingrays underwater.

Using simple keyboard keys, the aim of the game is to kill as many stingrays as possible without getting hit.

However the game has not been well received from some members of the public, according to a statement posted on the MoFunZone website.

"We are getting mixed reactions from our visitors regarding this game. We should make it clear, this game is intended to be a memorial and NOT a funny parody," said its creators, Josh Tuttle, -altr- and Onic.

Like the inevitable email jokes that circulate through our inboxes following large news events, online games have become an increasingly popular forum, like the Zidane head butting incident, which also spawned its very own online game.

But while the games are generally free to play, their creators websites generally carry a range of advertisements, making them likely to benefit commercially from the rush of increased traffic to their site.

The issue of online profiteering from misfortune has emerged as a hot issue following the death of Steve Irwin with an explosion of auctions on sites such as eBay emerging since last week as people sought to cash in on the hype by offloading merchandise at a premium.

Irwin fans have also strongly criticised a number comic parodies of the "Crocodile Hunter" appearing on video sites like YouTube, many of which have called for the content to be removed, even though most were posted up before his death.

The Terri Irwin's Revenge game has so far attracted only a 5/10 rating from players."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/stink-over-irwin-stingray-revenge-game/2006/09/11/1157826859772.html

[maddezmom]

1. Neoma, please be aware of the DU copyright rule

Do not copy-and-paste entire articles onto this discussion forum. When referencing copyrighted work, post a short excerpt (not exceeding 4 paragraphs) with a link back to the original.

[Waya]

2. Good grief, people need to get a grip.................

[Kire]

3. Dead stingrays with their tails cut off have been found in Australia

Irwin fans 'in revenge attacks'

Dead stingrays with their tails cut off have been found in Australia, sparking concern that fans of naturalist Steve Irwin may be avenging his death.

Mr Irwin, a TV personality known as the "Crocodile Hunter", was killed while diving in Queensland when a stingray's barb stabbed him in the chest.

Since then, 10 stingrays have been found mutilated on Queensland beaches.

Government officials said they were investigating the deaths and there could be prosecutions.

Two stingrays were found at a beach north of Brisbane with their tails cut off, while eight were found on another beach on Monday, The Australian reported.


More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5338118.stm